May 04, 2010 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced the opening of the Crowne Plaza Cleveland South - Independence, following a $4 million renovation that includes a new fitness center, new board room and upgrades throughout the hotel.

"We are excited to open at a location that is ideal for both business and leisure guests," said Alnashir Tejani, president of hotel owners Rockside Hospitality LLC. "It is the perfect facility for meetings and social events and it offers our guests the opportunity to experience Crowne Plaza's upscale experience."

Located at 5300 Rockside Road, at the Intersection of I-480 and I-77, the hotel and meeting center is just 15 minutes from Hopkins International Airport and just seven miles south of downtown Cleveland. It is just steps away from the renovated Cleveland Clinic and a short drive from many attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Zoo and the Football Hall of Fame.

A Grand Opening Gala at the hotel and conference center is scheduled for May 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"The hotel's location close to a major airport and near the intersection of two major highways and the offices of several corporations makes it a leading attraction for meeting planners," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG. "With the conversion of this hotel to a Crowne Plaza, we can now offer our comprehensive meetings program, which meeting planners won't find at any other hotel in the Cleveland market."

Crowne Plaza's comprehensive meetings program ensures a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief. The hotel has more than 10,000 square feet of flexible, upscale meeting space.

The Crowne Plaza Cleveland South - Independence has 179 guestrooms, each with LCD flat screen televisions and upgraded bathroom facilities. Guests have access to a variety of amenities including complimentary HSIA, Wi-Fi throughout the property, a renovated indoor pool area, new fitness center, business center and in-room dining services. The hotel includes a three-meal restaurant, the Aura Bistro, as well as the Aura Lounge. There is also complimentary valet parking, concierge and bellman service, and a club level with upgraded amenities including a continental breakfast Monday through Friday.

Consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage®, available at all Crowne Plaza hotels in the Americas. Sleep Advantage encompasses the entire sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include signature bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, nightlights, drape clips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.

The property is owned by Rockside Hospitality, LLC., and managed by American Resort Management LLC., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has 48 million members. Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's nearly 4,400 hotels worldwide.

Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top-growing brands and travel buyers rated Crowne Plaza as the top upscale/select-service brand in Business Travel News' 2010 U.S. Hotel Chain survey. As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has more than 300 hotels in nearly 60 countries, located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations.

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 645,000 guest rooms in over 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 48 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,400 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

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